RCM Sparks

The Royal College of Music's learning and participation programme, RCM Sparks, has been providing inclusive opportunities for young people to engage with music education since 2007.

We actively recruit participants facing barriers to participating in music education and provide a pathway of high-quality long-term engagement in line with the RCM's Access and participation plan.

We strive towards the Royal College of Music being a place where everyone feels welcome and represented.

We collaborate with a broad and diverse range of professionals and organisations to deliver a wide range of opportunities from targeted projects to large-scale events.

We train Royal College of Music students in the field of music education, developing a vibrant new generation of educators with relevant and meaningful practical experience, who in turn, are aspirational role models for our participants.

Come to an RCM Sparks event

Activities for schools

'I think the encouragement he got there, fundamentally changed something for him. He had never heard any of his pieces performed before, this was a first.'

Parent of a participant

'It was a great project to be part of - active learning whether online or in person, Sparks made it sparkling special!'

Parent of a participant

'All teachers made an unbelievable effort to keep the kids engaged and focused and my son enjoyed it very much.'

Sparks Juniors parent

Working with the community

The Sparks team and RCM students work with community members in the Music Man Project

Working with children

Convo is an ambitious new work and the culmination of a two year project working with young people from throughout the Tri-borough area

Two black boys, wearing black hats, wearing green shirts and playing the ukulele.

Working in partnership

Learning pathways

News

Inside the contemporary conservatoire: an in-depth new book from the Royal College of Music

Inside the Contemporary Conservatoire: Critical Perspectives from the Royal College of Music, London, provides fresh insight into the role, purpose and impact of a conservatoire, with the Royal College of Music (RCM) as a central case study.

Legends and Tales are brought to life in the Royal College of Music’s Spring 2025 Season

The Royal College of Music (RCM) Spring 2025 Season weaves together dramatic stories and musical masterpieces with the theme of Legends and Tales, featuring performances by renowned leaders of the classical world.

View More News

Looking to learn an instrument?

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham or the City of Westminster, you have access to tuition and other initiatives provided by the Tri-borough Music Hub.

Tri-borough Music Hub services

In addition, the Royal College of Music provides a dedicated service for members of the public, adults or children, who would like to learn how to play an instrument, how to sing, how to compose and those who would like to learn music theory.

RCM Teaching Service

The Music Mark website provides an interactive map to find your local music service.

Find my local music service